• Training Courses in 2008
• Training and Developement
• Training Activities

• Partners and supporters
• Training Board
• Contacts

Training in the skills needed for high-quality regional television has become one of Circom's main activities. It began with a journalism workshop in Romania in 1994. Since then, there have been major international workshops for young journalists at every annual conference, and a growing number of other seminars and practical courses.

Support for TV stations in the "New Democracies" of central and eastern Europe has become a major priority for Circom Regional, which was the first European television association to admit TV stations from these countries after the events of 1989. But with the digital revolution now bringing changes to the way all stations work, there is a need for every member-station to learn from others who are facing the same challenges.

Circom's network offers the unique advantage of bringing together TV professionals from all the regions of Europe, to share expertise, establish best practice, and compare programmes. The priorities for training are:

• Journalism - which is fair, impartial, directly relevant to viewers, and attractive to watch.
• New Technology - and how it can be used to make programmes better and efficient.
• Management - how to encourage teamwork, creativity and competitive programmes on small budgets.
• Production skills - for the most professional television
• Diversity - codes of practice to ensure that the interests of all communities are served, promoting understanding and tolerance.

Over 800 journalists and television professionals have benefited directly from Circom Regional workshops and seminars since 1994. The courses are known for their very practical nature, with discussions mixed with many exercises using digital cameras and editing equipment.
New courses are regularly added to Circom’s training timetable with "Introduction to Video Journalism Workshops" proving to be very popular.  Future courses planned include "Training for Trainers".
The workshops are also known for the quality of the tutors, who are experienced practitioners from Circom member-stations across Europe, volunteering their time in the true spirit of Circom. All of the current trainers have been with Circom for over 10 years and they actively encourage and introduce new trainers into the "family" when practically possible.

Circom Regional have appointed the Thomson Foundation as their Training Co-ordinators and they are responsible for organising and delivering Circom training courses and workshops.  A UK based organisation The Thomson Foundation provides practical, intensive training both in the UK and abroad, along with a wide range of consultancies, to journalists, managers, technicians and production staff in television, radio and the press.

For more information, contact

Ian Masters, Controller of Broadcasting, the Thomson Foundation
Tel: +44 (0)29 2035 3060
Fax: +44 (0)29 2035 3061
mastersir@thomfound.co.uk
enquiries@thomfound.co.uk

Karol Cioma, Circom Regional Training Project Manager
Tel: +44 (0)1286 678880
Mob: +44 (0)7711 731688
k.cioma@btopenworld.com

Thomson Foundation website:
http://www.thomsonfoundation.co.uk

Office address:
The Thomson Foundation,
37 Park Place,
CARDIFF CF10 3BB,
Wales, UK.